New computer too slow, is it me?

Forums › Desktop computing › New computer too slow, is it me?

EternallyYoung87

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#20453 27-Mar-2008 03:41

I have no idea what happened to my post earlier this morning. I typed, I posted, I believe I followed all the guidelines. But my post isn't there (here where it should be). If it was moved or something, I'm sorry to repeat it but I need help.

Short and sweet, (being aggravated enough already)...

Own.... eMachine model W3611 Rebuild... recently purchased (less than one month).

This machine is identical in configuration (is supposed to be) to the other one we purchased with this one. However, things are very slow on here, much slower than on my old computer with much less memory etc.

Basic information for this machine

Vista Home Basic
Intel Pentium 4 (x2) 3.00 GHz
502 MB RAM
32 bit Operating System
8.36 GB (40% free) AND 140 GB (70% free) Hard drives

Many times I'm waiting for ten minutes for a single program to open or a page to load online. I know there's something wrong, there has to be. I have scanned for viruses etc, all clean. Have been given a hard drive eraser and copy of XP to install instead of Vista, as I'm told this is the problem... I simply have too small RAM to simply run Vista.

My questions are:

Will erasing and installing XP help? If so, suggested guidelines for doing so?
Can a simple walk through and changing of settings do the same? (security is slightly stricter than "normal"/"default" etc)
If I install XP what kind of programs will I need to redownload (such as Word, Excel, etc)? Does anyone know what Programs Microsoft includes in it's XP Pro editions?

I realize that my machine will be slower than the other one we bought, as that one is only used to browse motorcycle/car sites and check email (fiance's machine). I use mine for everything from keeping schedules for a family of 7 as well as keeping in touch with friends/family world-wide. I do have a lot of pictures and music on here but the fact this machine is running slower than my old (80GB) Compaq is driving me nuts.

I love the look and feel of Vista, though I'm a new user. I'm even getting used to the continuous pop-ups requesting my permission for things to happen (CCleaner for example, everytime run needs permission). I'd like to keep using Vista if there's a way to speed things back up. If not, getting used to XP again is not really bothersome. I'm only afraid to make such major changes to my machine as replacing a damaged machine is not likely to happen. I'd be lost without my machine.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.

~ EY

ictgeeknz

255 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#118961 27-Mar-2008 04:18

EternallyYoung87:

Vista Home Basic
Intel Pentium 4 (x2) 3.00 GHz
502 MB RAM
32 bit Operating System
8.36 GB (40% free) AND 140 GB (70% free) Hard drives
~ EY

I had a person come to me recently with a laptop which had poor performance. More than 80% of the system RAM was being consumed for one reason or another. As a result, it was swapping to disk (Page File) constantly.

Open the Windows Task Manager and click the Performance tab to view RAM usage.

Like your computer, it only had 512MB shared with video memory - which didn't seem enough. In the end, I upgraded their laptop to 1GB of RAM and performance improved to where it was only using 50-60%.

Not to say, there could be other issues effecting the performance of your computer too.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79263 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#118971 27-Mar-2008 06:42

I would say it's the HDD and the memory. First 512 MB is not really enough to comfortably run today's operating systems. Second, is the 8 GB HDD your c: drive?

I surely hope note because that is not enough to boot and have a swap file - and probably too slow as well.

I think you should have at least 1 GB RAM, make sure the drives are not fragmented and that you are using the large, faster drive for system.

If you have a USB 2.0 port on your PC try using a fast 1 GB USB memory key and select the ReadyBoost option when you insert it. Not all USB memory keys will work - the cheap ones don't have fast enough memory, so check th Sandisk Cruzer and Kingston.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79263 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#118972 27-Mar-2008 06:44

By the way you can't download Word, Excel, etc and generally they don't come with new PCs - if they do they would be on a recovery disc. Those programs are available from retail stores.

ictgeeknz

255 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#118973 27-Mar-2008 07:01

freitasm: I would say it's the HDD and the memory. First 512 MB is not really enough to comfortably run today's operating systems. Second, is the 8 GB HDD your c: drive?

Mauricio is right, that boot partition needs to be at least 20-40GB.

dnb4life

312 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#119104 27-Mar-2008 17:26

EternallyYoung87:
Vista Home Basic
502 MB RAM
8.36 GB (40% free)

those would be the 3 conflicting problems. to run Vista you want atleast 1Gb of ram. even with 1Gb a laptop will be very slow, upgrade to 2Gb ram if possible. also if that 8Gb hard drive is your windoows drive you need to change that immediately. 8Gbs is far too small for your system drive. i would recommend getting atleast a 40Gb to replace it. whoever made this computer up for you clearly has no idea what they are doing and i would strongly recommend going and getting them to remedy the problems (for free of course as this is their fault) or getting a full refund.

EternallyYoung87

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#120400 2-Apr-2008 03:39

Ok. No the 8 GB is not my c:drive. And yes, I realize I need more memory (RAM). I'll have to take care of that another time. For now I only need to know if installing the XP will make this machine a little faster, (I can live without all the cool, new Vista "stuff"), or would it be better to wait and upgrade the memory, keeping Vista? I also realize I will have to re-install any software that I want to keep. This is the only reason I haven't completed the change to XP yet, as I'm not sure which programs I can save and which I can't. Those I've downloaded from the interenet and installed, or that I have a CD for are not the problem. The problem is how to back up, or save the programs that were pre-installed on the computer (notepad, wordpad, paint, etc). Are these "windows" programs? Or will I just have to get used to life without them?

Personal opinions of Vista are welcome also.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#120405 2-Apr-2008 07:49

If you install Wndows XP your preformance will improve, dramatically i would suggest! When you install XP it comes with pain notepad etc. preinstalled..

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

EvilSteve

232 posts

Master Geek

#123847 15-Apr-2008 22:00

"The problem is how to back up, or save the programs that were pre-installed on the computer (notepad, wordpad, paint, etc). Are these "windows" programs? Or will I just have to get used to life without them?"

These are programs included with most if not all windows, mainly cos these programs offer only the bare necessities,
early you mentioned Microsoft Word, Excel, etc - these will have to be re-installed from disc, if you dont have the discs you'll need to buy them or maybe go back to whoeva built your pc and get them to reinstall them (dont know how lucky you'l be with this)

Personal Opinion of vista... looks nice but im scared of new things to try, alot of people "bag" it based on the same reason and most havent even tried it. Of my friends that have tried it they have loved it except to say its fairly resource hungry and would never have dreamed running it on a system with specs like yours.

Good Luck!

dnb4life

312 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#124128 16-Apr-2008 17:44

Vista is fine now. In fact it's great with Vista SP1 out now. the only reason you would have a problem with Vista is if your PC doesn't have the requirements. IMHO you need 2GBs of Ram minimum as well as a dual-core CPU. People keep bad mouthing Vista because their computers aren't up to spec and I'm getting pretty sick of it. It can do everything XP can do and more.

EternallyYoung87

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#130126 12-May-2008 03:35

halfbaked: Personal Opinion of vista... looks nice but im scared of new things to try, alot of people "bag" it based on the same reason and most havent even tried it. Of my friends that have tried it they have loved it except to say its fairly resource hungry and would never have dreamed running it on a system with specs like yours.

Good Luck!

That's what I find most discouraging is that the manufacturers of these things (MS, and others) don't want to let me, the consumer, know those things. I sure as heck wouldn't have spent the money I did on the two machines we bought. I thought we were getting a heck of a deal.

Learn something new everyday.

Thanks

EternallyYoung87

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#130127 12-May-2008 03:38

itxtme: If you install Wndows XP your preformance will improve, dramatically i would suggest! When you install XP it comes with pain notepad etc. preinstalled..

Done, and yes things move much faster. Having a little trouble with updates, and still have some questions about if I did the clean/install correctly. Working things out as I go a long, learning as well. I appreciate all the help I've gotten here.

After deciding to do this myself (to save money) I've learned that it's not only not that difficult, but also pretty rewarding.